A new baby brings plenty of decisions you never imagined spending this much time thinking about. Sleep schedules. Feeding. Tiny clothes they somehow outgrow overnight.
And then there are diapers.
For most parents, disposable diapers are the obvious choice. They are easy, familiar and, when you are already running on very little sleep, convenience matters.
But sustainable lifestyle creator Sonika Bhasin says there is another option worth considering: modern cloth diapers.
Sonika, who shares ideas around sustainable living and parenting with over 111,000 followers on Instagram, has used her platform to talk about everything from composting to bioenzymes. Recently, she shared why cloth diapering made sense to her.
And no, she is not talking about going back to the old-fashioned cloth nappies many of us remember.
First things first: are cloth diapers actually practical?
Modern cloth diapers look and work quite differently from a simple piece of cloth folded around a baby. Many come with absorbent inserts and waterproof outer layers, making them much closer to disposable diapers in how they are used.
The biggest difference comes afterwards. Instead of throwing the diaper into the bin, you wash it and use it again.
That does mean adding another load of laundry to life with a baby, which may not work for every household. But for parents who can make the washing routine work, Sonika says reusability is one of their biggest advantages.
Think about how many diapers one baby goes through
Sonika points out that a baby may use thousands of disposable diapers before being toilet trained.
That is a lot of nappies being bought, used once and thrown away.
Cloth diapers can be reused many times, helping families reduce the amount of diaper waste they send to landfills. For parents already trying to cut down on everyday waste, this can make a noticeable difference.
Then there is the money
Anyone who has bought diapers regularly knows how quickly they become a recurring household expense.
Sonika says that over time, cloth diapering can work out considerably cheaper than relying entirely on disposables, especially because the same set can be reused again and again.
According to her, cloth diapers can be a gentler option for a baby’s sensitive skin. Photograph: (StarAndDaisy)
There is even a second-hand market. Parents who no longer need their cloth diapers can pass them on or sell them, while other families can buy pre-owned ones for less.
Of course, there is a larger upfront cost, but the idea is to buy fewer diapers overall.
What about a baby’s skin?
This is often one of the first questions parents have.
Sonika prefers cloth because it reduces contact with the plastic-based materials commonly used in disposable diapers and can offer greater breathability.
But every baby’s skin is different. Frequent changing, proper washing and keeping the diaper area clean and dry remain important whichever option a family chooses.
And yes, they can be surprisingly cute
This may not be the reason anyone switches diapers, but it certainly does not hurt.
Modern cloth diapers come in bright colours, prints and patterns, turning something very practical into a surprisingly fun part of a baby’s wardrobe.
Ultimately, cloth diapering does not have to be an all-or-nothing decision.
Some parents may use cloth diapers at home and disposables while travelling. Others may switch gradually, starting with just a few.
The useful question is not whether one choice makes you a “better” parent.
It is simply whether a reusable option could work for your baby, your routine and your home. And if it can, that is one less everyday item you need to keep buying and throwing away.
